A collection of observations about butterflies here in Scotland and notes of the butterflies I have seen when on family holidays.
I am no expert photographer, preferring to capture the moment than get a perfectly composed shot. The pictures on my blog are either taken with a compact Canon, a Panasonic Lumix FZ150 or on my phone.
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
Orange Tips
Sorry to be a bit repetitive, but I have been having fun photographing my favourite butterfly! The weather has been cool and cloudy with occasional sunny spells, which is makes photographing Orange Tips so much easier!
The pattern on the underside of their wings blends in beautifully with the flowers of one of their favourite food plants - Garlic Mustard.
I have shown pictures of eggs, caterpillars and a chrysalis of the Orange Tip in a previous post.
Nick, this little guy is just exquisite! Your photos are fantastic. I especially like that second shot, where you can see the mottled details coming through from the underside. It is just so beautiful! You have to be really pleased with these shots. I know I would be!
I had never seen any of these little guys until last Spring. I saw a couple in Texas, and then one at the Grand Canyon...two different species. But I was just enchanted with them. I really hope to see one in China some day. I think I might have seen one flying down the first ring road, here in the very middle of the city. But I couldn't catch it with all the people and skooters and bikes, etc. on the sidewalks. But I think they only appear for a short time in the early Spring? So I've probably missed it for this year. Although, we just aren't having a good butterfly year so far.
The one advantage of the cloudy weather we are experiencing just now is that the butterflies are not flying about as much and the sun doesn't reflect so much off the white areas of their wings. Yes, I am really pleased with these pictures. The Orange Tips ten to only open their wings when the sun is shining, so it was a case of watching and waiting for the sun to go behind a cloud and get the shot before they shut their wings! Also they quickly age, losing the checkering along the edge of their wings and the white on their antennae. Yes, they are a spring species. Normally on the wing here from the middle of April until the middle of June. I think there are three other species in southern Europe, one of which has several generations between April and October.
The photos are exquisite Nick. The Panasonic Lumix FZ150 just gives you perfect depth-of-field, which is something I struggle with, with my own cameras.
Thanks Maria, The Lumix is a fantastic camera. It makes photographing them so much easier, as I don't have to get quite so close. This takes a bit of the challenge out of getting a picture, but it has allowed me to stand back and enjoy the butterflies more. As you say, it also has a great depth of field. I play around with the settings occasionally, but generally just leave it on Auto and let it do the work. I toyed with the idea of buying a DSLR, but apart from not being able to afford one (!), it is so much easier having a light camera and not having to have various lenses to carry around. Anyway, I don't take photography that seriously!
I can't get enough of these lovely things either!!! I really like the intricate underside patterns. Somehow it reminds me of old botanical painting of dandelion leaves.
Nick, I am seriously jealous. You Lumix can really do wonders. I think your pictures have far overtaken mine!! Beautiful pictures as always. :)
I do hope you'll more butterflies soon. The weather over here has become unbearingly hot... but I suppose that's what tropical butterflies like!
Hi Jonny, Thanks, but there is no way my pictures are up to the standard of yours! The FZ150 is a great all round camera, but it can't beat an SLR with suitable lenses. Anyway, I don't have any pictures published in a book!! We are up to nine species so far this year now.
Lovely photo, Nick! I am happy you got it too this season! The caterpillar you posted previously is very discrete and must be quite hard to find, especially the egg! All you need now is the chrysalis!! LOL! Well done, enjoy your sunday!
Hi Noushka, Strangely the egg and caterpillar are easy to find as I know that they are only found on the flower-head of three different plants here. It is the chrysalis that is not so easy as they can be anywhere! I have only ever found one, despite searching for hours for them!!
The underpart of this orange tip is radically different from the upper part. I've not seen this butterfly in my part of the world. Its clearly having a gala time sipping on the nectar. Your photographs captured them brilliantly.
Nick, this little guy is just exquisite! Your photos are fantastic. I especially like that second shot, where you can see the mottled details coming through from the underside. It is just so beautiful! You have to be really pleased with these shots. I know I would be!
ReplyDeleteI had never seen any of these little guys until last Spring. I saw a couple in Texas, and then one at the Grand Canyon...two different species. But I was just enchanted with them. I really hope to see one in China some day. I think I might have seen one flying down the first ring road, here in the very middle of the city. But I couldn't catch it with all the people and skooters and bikes, etc. on the sidewalks. But I think they only appear for a short time in the early Spring? So I've probably missed it for this year. Although, we just aren't having a good butterfly year so far.
The one advantage of the cloudy weather we are experiencing just now is that the butterflies are not flying about as much and the sun doesn't reflect so much off the white areas of their wings. Yes, I am really pleased with these pictures. The Orange Tips ten to only open their wings when the sun is shining, so it was a case of watching and waiting for the sun to go behind a cloud and get the shot before they shut their wings! Also they quickly age, losing the checkering along the edge of their wings and the white on their antennae.
DeleteYes, they are a spring species. Normally on the wing here from the middle of April until the middle of June. I think there are three other species in southern Europe, one of which has several generations between April and October.
The photos are exquisite Nick. The Panasonic Lumix FZ150 just gives you perfect depth-of-field, which is something I struggle with, with my own cameras.
ReplyDeleteThanks Maria,
DeleteThe Lumix is a fantastic camera. It makes photographing them so much easier, as I don't have to get quite so close. This takes a bit of the challenge out of getting a picture, but it has allowed me to stand back and enjoy the butterflies more. As you say, it also has a great depth of field. I play around with the settings occasionally, but generally just leave it on Auto and let it do the work. I toyed with the idea of buying a DSLR, but apart from not being able to afford one (!), it is so much easier having a light camera and not having to have various lenses to carry around. Anyway, I don't take photography that seriously!
I can't get enough of these lovely things either!!! I really like the intricate underside patterns. Somehow it reminds me of old botanical painting of dandelion leaves.
ReplyDeleteNick, I am seriously jealous. You Lumix can really do wonders. I think your pictures have far overtaken mine!! Beautiful pictures as always. :)
I do hope you'll more butterflies soon. The weather over here has become unbearingly hot... but I suppose that's what tropical butterflies like!
Hi Jonny,
DeleteThanks, but there is no way my pictures are up to the standard of yours! The FZ150 is a great all round camera, but it can't beat an SLR with suitable lenses. Anyway, I don't have any pictures published in a book!! We are up to nine species so far this year now.
Lovely photo, Nick!
ReplyDeleteI am happy you got it too this season!
The caterpillar you posted previously is very discrete and must be quite hard to find, especially the egg!
All you need now is the chrysalis!! LOL!
Well done, enjoy your sunday!
Hi Noushka,
DeleteStrangely the egg and caterpillar are easy to find as I know that they are only found on the flower-head of three different plants here. It is the chrysalis that is not so easy as they can be anywhere! I have only ever found one, despite searching for hours for them!!
The underpart of this orange tip is radically different from the upper part. I've not seen this butterfly in my part of the world. Its clearly having a gala time sipping on the nectar. Your photographs captured them brilliantly.
ReplyDeleteThey are really beautiful little creatures and there are plenty of wild flowers around for them at this time of year.
Delete